Out of towners arrested with more than $160,000 in cash

A Sheriff's deputy found more than $160,000 during a traffic stop Tuesday Nov. 27, the MCSO said Tuesday.

On Nov. 27, at about 7:30 p.m. an MCSO Deputy stopped a car for allegdly speeding near the Moss Cove rest stop located on Highway 101 between Willits and Laytonville.

According to the MCSO report, the two occupants identified themselves as Keith Stewart Jr., of Brooklyn, New York, and Alexander Odell, of Eureka, California. While speaking to Odell and Stewart the Deputy learned that the vehicle they were operating was a rental and that neither of them was listed on the rental agreement. The Deputy was also unable to locate any driver's license information for either Odell or Stewart.

During the traffic stop the Deputy deployed his K9 partner and the dog detected an odor of an illegal drug(s) coming from within the vehicle. Following a search of the vehicle the Deputy located a very large quantity of U.S. currency in the trunk of the vehicle.

Both Odell and Stewart said they had no knowledge of the money found in the trunk of the car. The Deputy also found another a large sum of money on the person of both Odell and Stewart. The Deputy was also able to determine that both Stewart and Odell were allegedly involved in the recent sales of marijuana.

In total, the Deputy located, and seized, $166,895 in U.S. currency. Both Odell and Stewart were arrested on suspicion of possession of money obtained as a result of, or intended to purchase, a controlled substance and transported to the Mendocino County jail where each is being held on $25,000 bail.